Extra-Hot

Scotch Bonnet: The Complete Guide (100K–350K SHU)

100K–350K SHU · fruity and tropical · Caribbean

70x hotter than a jalapeño

Quick Facts Heat & Flavor Best Substitutes Head-to-Head Comparisons Related Peppers Sources & References

Quick Facts

Scoville Heat Units
100,000 – 350,000 SHU
Extra-Hot
44×
vs Jalapeño
Species
C. chinense
Hottest species
Origin
Caribbean
Where it was first cultivated
Flavor Profile
fruity and tropical
Primary taste notes
Heat Category
Extra-Hot
100K–1M SHU

Heat & Flavor Profile

The Scotch Bonnet registers 100K–350K Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the Extra-Hot tier (100K–1M SHU). That makes it roughly 70x hotter than a jalapeño.

Heat Position on the Scoville Scale
0 SHU 3,200,000+ SHU

Flavor notes: fruity and tropical.

fruity tropical C. chinense

Substitutes for Scotch Bonnet

Closest match: Habanero. These peppers share a similar heat range or flavor profile and work well as substitutes in most recipes.

1
Habanero
100K–350K SHU · Mexico · fruity and citrusy
Extra-Hot
2
Fatalii
125K–400K SHU · Central Africa · citrusy and fruity
Extra-Hot
3
Bird's Eye Chili
50K–100K SHU · Thailand · peppery and bright
Extra-Hot

Scotch Bonnet vs. Other Peppers

See how the Scotch Bonnet stacks up in these detailed side-by-side comparisons.

Sources & References

Data from USDA FoodData Central, the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Species classification: C. chinense — based on published botanical taxonomy.

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